teachers & leadership

We're hiring! Gan Shalom is looking for ONE more educator to join our team.  Please reach out to our Director,  Tina Brimo with additional inquiries.
​Tina Brimo,  Director
Tina has over ten years of experience working with and advocating for young children.   She believes that children learn through play and thrive when they feel cared for, challenged and respected. Tina and her family immigrated from Guyana when she was 12 years old to New York. Since then, she has lived in New York, Vermont, Baltimore and Washington DC. She has taught and worked in the DC area for a combined eight years. Tina has her undergraduate degree from the City College of New York and her Masters degree from Concordia University Portland. She's very excited to embark on this journey as the director of Gan Shalom and is also  thrilled that her daughter, Simone, will be joining the community in the fall.  On weekends you can find her at a Zumba class, out running, or caring for her extensive collection of house plants. She looks forward to joining the Hill Havurah Community! 
Mary McDowney,  Co-Teacher 
Mary McDowney was born and raised in Washington D.C. and has been teaching for the past 37 years. She has three daughters and four grandchildren. Her favorite part of being an educator is teaching children to be life long learners.
Amber Ben-Hanania,  Co-Teacher 
​​Amber is an Israeli American from Brooklyn, NY. She got her undergraduate degree in psychology with a minor in art at   Stetson University. Right  now, Amber is  pursuing a masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with Art Therapy at   Antioch University Seattle. Her goal is to be a clinician  who specializes with children.
Sara Carnochan, Jewish Education Consultant
Sara has worked in education since 2006.  Her focus throughout her career in education has been in experiential learning, outdoor education, and inspiring curiosity.  She has taught in private, public, and charter schools and with students ranging in age from preschool up through high school.  Sara has been connected with Gan Shalom since 2018, serving as a frequent parent classroom volunteer when her oldest attended Gan Shalom 3 mornings per week. Since then, she has served for three years on the Gan Shalom Parent Board, as Membership Chair, Liaison to the Hill Havurah, and as President during 2020-2021, when her younger daughter was a student with the Tutim class.  Most recently Sara served as the Interim Director from January 2022-July 2022. Sara is honored to maintain her connection to Gan Shalom and continue sharing her passion for Jewish hands-on learning. 

parent leadership

Gan Shalom Parent Advisory Committee 
President - Carly Clark president.ganshalom@hillhavurah.org
Vice President -Valerie Bluestein vicepresident.ganshalom@hillhavurah.org 
Treasurer - Erin Goldstein treasurer.ganshalom@hillhavurah.org
Membership Chair - Tara Fortier membership.ganshalom@hillhavurah.org
Communications Chair - James Baker-McKee communications.ganshalom@hillhavurah.org
​Liaison to Hill Havurah Board -  Colin Chazen LiaisontoHH.GanShalom@hillhavurah.org